Venus
Statuette
ca. 1600 (made)
ca. 1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bronze statuette and firedog figure representing Venus was made in about 1600 in Italy. It is possible that the letter G.P. are the marks of the foundry.
Firedogs or andirons were placed within the fireplace and would have been used to hold utensials which were required for tending the fire. Often, firedogs do not even appear on inventories, which indicates their status as standard household objects, not necessarily worthy of particular note.
Firedogs stand either side of the fireplace and hold burning logs above the floor in order to allow an updraft of air.
Firedogs or andirons were placed within the fireplace and would have been used to hold utensials which were required for tending the fire. Often, firedogs do not even appear on inventories, which indicates their status as standard household objects, not necessarily worthy of particular note.
Firedogs stand either side of the fireplace and hold burning logs above the floor in order to allow an updraft of air.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Venus (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze. Quaternary alloy with antimony and possibly silver. |
| Brief description | Statuette, firedog figure, bronze, Venus, Italian, ca. 1600 |
| Physical description | Bronze statuette of Venus standing naked. Her body is bent slightly backwards and to the left. Her right hand touches her breast, her left supports drapery on her hip. The drapery is also held by a band running across the body and over the left shoulder, and falls at the back of the left leg. The right foot is raised and the knee bent. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'G. P.' (possibly the foundry mark ) |
| Object history | Bought from Alfred Spero and Kerin Ltd. in 1929. |
| Production | The Venus is inscribed with the letters 'GP' with decorated circles around the base. This might be a foundry mark most likely and not as formerly thought, the initials of Girolamo Paliari, a little-known sculptor. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze statuette and firedog figure representing Venus was made in about 1600 in Italy. It is possible that the letter G.P. are the marks of the foundry. Firedogs or andirons were placed within the fireplace and would have been used to hold utensials which were required for tending the fire. Often, firedogs do not even appear on inventories, which indicates their status as standard household objects, not necessarily worthy of particular note. Firedogs stand either side of the fireplace and hold burning logs above the floor in order to allow an updraft of air. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.168-1929 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
